International Relations and Crisis in Nigeria - Literature review Example

CRISIS IN NIGERIA Name Institution Course Professor Date CRISIS IN NIGERIA Introduction Theories in international relations cover diverse issues affecting populations globally. According to Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.39), terrorism in the contemporary society is a major concern, especially about its impacts on the peace and stability of a nation. Moreover, the menace of terrorist acts makes it an international concern. In respect to this, the paper addresses the case of Nigeria through the realism theory, especially in the advent of the insurgency of the Boko Haram militia. Boko Haram Insurgency Nigeria is currently facing enormous challenges in managing social and political stability of its people as an outcome of the presence of the Boko Haram insurgency. Based on Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.39), the sect heads are Islamic believers operating in the northern parts of the country. The magnitude of the activities of the sect, in particular about the humanitarian crisis makes it an international issue, requiring the application of idealistic theories in meeting a sufficient resolution. It is important to address the specific humanitarian crisis born from the presence of the Boko Haram since its inception in 2001. Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.40) explain that humanitarian crisis encompasses threats posed to humans limiting their survival and thrive. Typical examples include the natural crisis, human-induced disasters, and the occurrence of ‘complex emergencies’ such as those perpetrated by terrorist factions (Okoli & Iortyer, 2014, p.40). The case of Boko Haram raining havoc in Nigeria regions is an example of an emergent situation. The consequence of the group includes massive violence to vulnerable groups of the society especially women and children, loss of life, population displacement, widespread damage to the economy and the community, security risks, and the rise in need of humanitarian assistance (Okoli & Iortyer, 2014). The literature of Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.40) posits that the inspiration to engage in acts of terrorism by a minority group is an outcome of individualistic, political, criminal or religious reasons. Much as there are multiple reasons influencing the rise of terrorism, most occur as a result of political disparities between the societies who fail to reach a peaceful resolution of their differences. In the case of Boko Haram in Nigeria, their actions are best defined as the use of power to cause violence with an aim to achieve changes in the government (Okoli & Iortyer, 2014). The success of the group in achieving their objectives follows the employment of tactics such as the hit-and-run strategies typical of the characteristics identifying the Boko Haram sect. Moreover, Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.40) identifies other activities including arson, excessive use of gunfire, suicide bombing, and kidnapping. The statistic provided by the Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.41) identify the magnitude of the crisis in Nigeria. In particular, there is the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) where Nigeria ranks as the seventh country in the world with terrorism activities. More accurate are the numbers of deaths, incidents, injuries and damage to property that highlights the need to employ global theoretical solutions in liberating Nigeria (Okoli & Iortyer 2014, p.41). In regards to Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.42), the acts of terrorism transcend the political boundaries of any one country. In particular, the actions undermine global peace, societal development, and the economic prosperity on an international level. The Boko Haram insurgents believe that the nation of Nigeria should undergo a liberation from the western influence that corrupts the society (Okoli & Iortyer 2014, p.43). Being an Islamic sect, the terrorist aim to promote the Muslim values beliefs, and customs in Nigeria, especially since a majority of the Northern population are already Muslims. According to Okoli and Iortyer (2014, p.43), the Boko Haram insurgents view secularism as corruptive in the society, especially following the advancement of its practices through education. Moreover, apart from the religious difference in the country, the socio-economic challenges in Nigeria continue to influence the increase in Boko Haram supporters (Okoli & Iortyer 2014, p.43). Realism Solutions in Nigeria Based on Burchill et al. (2013, p.1), the international relation is an academic subject generating an idea on solutions about the political structure and its effects on the society. The essence of the theories is to provide future generations with adequate tools through which they can employ in managing power in the society. Moreover, Burchill et al. provide a classification of the theories into two including the positivist and the reflectivity. In positivism, the focus relies on a state level analysis which is scientific and rational (Burchill et al 2013, p.2). Realism is one of the positivism views, which according to Burchill et al. (2013, p.29), defines the pursuit of political power that profits the national interest. Mbaegbu (2016, p.61) identifies realism as a method of dealing with stressful situations, without involving egoism, emotions, and self-interests. In the case of application of realism in Nigeria, the primary challenge is for the state not to act emotionally to the activities performed by the Boko Haram insurgents. Moreover, according to Viotti and Kauppi (2013, p.120), realism works with a direct approach in pursuit of state interest rather than that of the individual. The imperative is the tenets of realism including statism, self-help, and survival. In statism, the realist acknowledges the state as the principle actor in structuring the international politics (Viotti & Kauppi, 2013, p.121). Comparatively, survival means the observance of anarchy where there is no central authority, while self-help implies the use of own independent mechanism without the reliance on any external help. Neoclassic realism according to Mbaegbu (2016, p.68) identifies with the ‘distribution of power in the international system, the domestic perception of the scheme or its incentives and then foreign policy decision’. In this case, neorealism identifies the state's structure as being central in directing the behavior of the state. Structure in the case includes the anarchy of the international system and capabilities of the nation including its resources, military and economic strengths. Moreover, neorealist challenges the over-reliance on the traditional military power to inform the state's structure and advocates for a combination of capabilities to realize a more stable power and solutions against any form of authority struggles. In light of the events occurring in the Nigerian soils following the advent of the Boko Haram, the state of Nigeria may adopt a realist approach in managing the escalating rivalry between the state government and that of the insurgents. According to Burchill et al. (2013, p.31), a realistic approach requires the state to mitigate and manage conflict since the nature of man will always give rise to continued conflicts. Similarly, Mbaegbu (2016, p.67) agrees on that ‘not being at war is different from being at peace in a cooperative way where suspicion, tension, and rivalry exist. Therefore, the Nigerian government is to avoid any form of negotiation with the radical Boko Haram group and instead counter the violence attacks with force. Moreover, there is the support for a reason for the state as opposed to other theoretical views on the importance of an ethical consideration of activities. In regards to Burchill et al. (2013, p.31), realism believes that the use of universal moral principles cannot correctly apply to the actions of/ by states. Realism observes the anarchical perspective where there is centralization of power (Burchill et al., 2013). The centrality of power provides the state with an advantage, especially in the case of aggressive power struggles. Comparatively, Viotti and Kauppi (2013, p. 134) claims that the anarchy provides relative gains to the state. In this case, the states are more secure in preventing self-interested factions from pursuing comparable capabilities. About the importance of anarchy in managing the nature of men, particularly regarding the ongoing difference in the society, Burchill et al. (2013, p. 32) discuss that the interaction of actors through anarchy allows an early prediction of violent conflicts occurring from competition, glory and diffidence purposes. Much as a realistic approach proves suitable in managing the elimination of the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria, Mbaegbu (2016, p.68) argues that the solutions it provided may not be viable in the long run. In particular, eliminating violence with violence provides a temporary solution, where more acts of violence continue to emerge. The inability to efficiently define and manage human intentions will always breed self-interest and violence, making the realistic approach non-comprehensive in providing a permanent solution. Moreover, Viotti and Kauppi (2013, p. 147) explains that the short-comings of realism are that it fails to consider other important contributors such as the function of institutions, domestic politics, and transnational relations. The failure to recognize ideas before reacting as a characteristic in realism makes it a poor approach in eliminating the flaws in world politics resulting in the rise of more violence from different classes of terrorists. Conclusion In summary, the persistence of the Boko Haram militia in Nigeria requires the application of more than just the realistic theoretical approach by the international relations. Realism supports the empowerment of the state to use its power in eliminating any form of terrorist acts. Moreover, it argues that to end violence against a majority group, it is necessary to use force and remove the perpetrators. However, the method fails to consider other institutions in its policies, providing a temporary solution for managing sustainable humanitarian environments. References Burchill, S., Linklater, A., Devetak, R., Donnelly, J., Nardin, T., Paterson, M., Reus-Smit, C. and True, J., 2013. Theories of international relations. Palgrave Macmillan, UK. Mbaegbu, C.C., 2016. Realism, idealism and crisis resolution in Nigeria: A philosophical study. Mgbakoigba: Journal of African Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, pp.61-71. Okoli, A.C. and Iortyer, P., 2014. Terrorism and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria: Insights from Boko Haram insurgency. Global Journal of Human Social Science, vol.14, no. 1, pp.39-49. Viotti, P.R. and Kauppi, M.V., 2013. International Relations Theory. Pearson, New York, US. Read More